Argyranthemum frutescens cultivar named `Gretel`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct selection of Silver Flower which shall be referred hereinafter as Argyranthemum frutescens cultivar `Gretel`. Argyranthemum frutescens cultivar Gretal differs distinctively from other Argyranthemum frutescens plants by its unique combination of deep mauve to pink colored flowers appearing together and a more refined appearance from the dense and short growth habit and small flowers and foliage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct selection of Argyranthemumfrutescens (L.) Schultz-Bip, native to the Canary Islands and a memberof the compositae family. Argyranthemum frutescens cv. `Gretel` was theresult of a controlled breeding program. The seed parent wasArgyranthemum frutescens cv. `Blanche` and the pollen parent wasArgyranthemum frutescens cv. `Rollasons Red`. I selected this seedingprogeny in 1995. My discovery was made at 100 Boundary Road, NarreWarren East, Victoria, Australia. Selection was based on the attributesof the deep mauve to pink colored flowers appearing together and a morerefined appearance.

My new plant has been asexually reproduced by cuttings since thediscovery in 1995 at 100 Boundary Road, Narre Warren East, Victoria,Australia and later at Monrovia Nursery Company, 18331 E. FoothillBoulevard, Azusa, Calif. Had this controlled hybridization not occuredand the seedling not been discovered and propagated, it may have beenlost to mankind. It is unlikely these particular select and favorableattributes of this plant could be conveyed to progeny through sexualreproduction in the next generation. However, through extensivepropagation by rooting of the plant it has been established that thenovel exceptional characteristics of this plant are stable and reliablypassed on to clonal specimens through asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Argyranthemum frutescens cv. `Gretel` has a lovely flowering effect withvarious color tones displayed. Initially the inflorescence opens withray petals a deep mauve purple. As the inflorescence ages the ray petalsfade to a light pink to almost white. The effect is stunning with anoverall colorful effect.

The size of my new selection is extremely uniform. The average height oftwenty random samples is 31.5 cm with 0.9 cm deviation. This is 9 cmtaller than cultivar `Rollasons Red`, the pollen parent which has adeviation of 4.2 cm in height. The seed parent cultivar `Blanche` is 8cm shorter, with a deviation of 2.5 cm, however again the parent is notas consistently uniform as my selection. This application is co-pendingwith those of four other Argyranthemum selections. `Primrose Petite`(U.S. Plant Patent Application Ser. No. 08/848,790) differssignificantly in having yellow ray florets. `Annabel` (U.S. Plant PatentApplication Ser. No. 08/851,475) differs significantly in having whiteray florets. `Blanche` (U.S. Plant Patent Application Ser. No.08/846,476) differs significantly in having white ray florets and alsoin height as previously stated. The final selection `Carmella` (U.S.Plant Patent Application Ser. No. 08/846,477) differs significantly asoutlined below. `Gretel` has no pink color on the outer basal linewhereas `Carmella` does maintain a pink color band. `Gretel` has asmaller growth habit whereas `Carmella` is larger. `Gretel` has a darkerupper surface color and lighter under surface color on the ray floretswhereas `Carmella` has ray florets which are similar in color on theupper and under surfaces. My selection cultivar `Gretel` has tolerated aminus 5 degree Celsius which is equivalent to a U.S.D.A. hardiness zoneseven with no harm or damage. Winter protection is necessary from heavyfrost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying photograph shows the plant in flower. The dense heavybloom virtually covers the foliage. The array of flower colors presentat the same time from deep mauve to almost white show the colorfulbeauty of my selection.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Below is a detailed description of Argyranthemum frutescens cultivar`Gretel`, the color terminology is from the British Horticultural ColorCharts. Measurements are based on 20 random samples taken in Australia.

Overall habit: Perennial subshrub.

Overall size: Slightly wider than tall. height 31.5 cm (±0.9 cm). width45.0 cm (±2.7 cm).

Bloom season in Australia: Heaviest bloom in Spring for 10 weeks. Someflowers present throughout the year. Melbourne: 8 to 10 months per year.Brisbane: 6 to 8 months per year.

Bloom lastingness.--7-14 days per inflorescence.

Foliage:

Arrangement.--Alternate.

Surface.--Upper: glabrous, lightly canescent. lower: glabrous.

Shape.--Deeply parted, pinnatisect, primary segments 5.

Margins.--Smooth, lobes end with a mucronulate tip.

Size.--Length -- 45.7 mm (±6.6 mm). width -- 25.7 mm (±2.9 mm).

color.--Upper leaf surface: Spinach Green 0960/1 and 0960 with sparsecovering of Leek green 000858. lower leaf surface: Spinach Green 0960/2.

Texture.--Slightly fleshy, succulent.

Stem coloration.--Scheeles Green 860, lighter in color than foliage.

Inflorescences:

Fragrance.--Faint sweet scent.

Bud shape.--Globose.

Bud length.--8 mm to 10 mm.

Bud width.--6 mm to 8 mm.

Bud color.--Spinach Green 0960/3, paper like bracts Mars Orange 013/3mixed with a tint of Garnet Brown 00918/3.

Arrangement.--Heterogamus capitula, 1 per peduncle.

Peduncle length.--7 to 10 cm in length.

Capitulum diameter.--3.65 cm (±3.3 mm).

Capitulum height.--Base of involucre to top of capitulum 11.8 mm (±0.9mm).

Disc diameter.--1.2 cm (±1.1 mm).

Disc color.--Chinese Yellow 606.

Disc floret reproductive organs.--Pistillate and staminate organs arepresent.

Ray floret number.--Average 16-17.

Ray floret aspect.--Flattened, varies from 80 to 100 degrees.

Ray floret shape.--Ligulate.

Ray floret length.--14-15 mm.

Ray floret width.--6-7 mm.

Ray floret color.--Initial flowering: Cyclamen Purple 30/3 on uppersurface and Cyclamen Purple.l on under surface. Mature flowering:Cyclamen Purple 30/1, 30/2,30/3. Amaranth Rose 530/3 , 530/1, 530/2,530/3 upper surface and Amaranth Rose 530/3 on under surface.

Basal line.--Fades with age to white.

Ray floret reproductive organs:.--Pistillate organs are present.

Fruit: A 2-4 angled cypsela, 1 winged.

Disease resistance: Rust diseases of the genera Coleosporium sp. andCronartium sp. are not known to occur on this plant in Australia.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Argyranthemum frutescens plantsubstantially as shown and described which differs distinctively fromother Argyranthemum frutescens plants by its unique combination of deepmauve to pink colored flowers appearing together and a more refinedappearance from the dense and short growth habit and small flowers andfoliage.